This is a lunch basket woven from Suzutake bamboo.
Lidded baskets made in this region using the traditional ajiro-ami weaving technique used to be crafted in a wide range of sizes— from large storage trunks called kōri to small card cases—by many skilled artisans. Today, however, due to the decline in the number of weavers, only certain sizes are still being made.
Even among lunch baskets made from the same Suzutake material, the finish may vary depending on the artisan. For this reason, we offer two types: Type A and Type B. This page features Type B, available in two sizes: Extra Small and Small.
Among Suzutake crafts, baskets like this—with a separate base and lid that fit together precisely— require particularly advanced weaving skills.
On the left is the Extra Small size, and on the right is the Small size.Although their dimensions differ, both baskets are made in the same way.Thin strips of Suzutake bamboo are carefully prepared and woven using ajiro-ami technique.The rim of the basket is reinforced with a core of sturdy Madake bamboo, around which Suzutake is tightly wound in an upward spiral to finish the edge.This is the Small size.Here, the left basket is the base and the right is the lid. The lid is made just slightly larger to fit neatly over the base.In terms of capacity, it fits about two rice balls and a few side dishes. In the photo, it holds one portion of rice, two pieces of fried chicken, a cherry tomato, half a boiled egg, a piece of grilled salmon, sautéed paprika, and simmered eggplant.One of the characteristics of Type B is its softly rounded corners. Compared to Type A, it also has a slightly fuller shape overall. This roundness and gentle form are also present in the Extra Small size.This is the Extra Small size. It is designed to hold about two rice balls.As before, the base basket is on the left and the lid is on the right.The Extra Small and Small baskets can be nested together for storage. Since Suzutake is naturally flexible, the pieces can be gently expanded to fit together smoothly.Here, the baskets are shown upside down. As you can see, the lid fits neatly and completely over the base.When opening the basket, don’t hesitate. Place your fingers firmly into the gap between the body and the lid, and lift the lid upward. Suzutake bamboo is flexible and gently gives way under the pressure of your fingers.
You can place rice balls or sandwiches directly into the basket without wrapping them in plastic or foil.
Depending on your preference or the type of food, you may also choose to line the basket with cooking paper or kyōgi (thin sheets of wood).
For this example, we lined the bottom and sides with cooking paper and packed the food inside.
Please note that even with a liner, moisture from juicy dishes or fruits may seep through the gaps in the weave at the bottom of the basket.
If you plan to keep the basket upright while carrying, some people use small containers or divider cups to include slightly moist side dishes.
After use, rinse the basket with water using a scrubbing brush. Shake off excess water or wipe it with a towel to remove moisture.
If the basket comes into contact with oil—such as from fried foods— wash it with mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and let it dry completely in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight.
The basket also works well as a container for small items, or you can even use the body and lid separately if you like.
Suzutake bamboo is known for its glossy surface, soft yet resilient texture, and overall durability.
One of its pleasures is the way it gradually deepens in color over time— from pale green to a warm amber tone. Even after years of use, washing it with water brings back a natural sheen to the surface, a sign of just how exceptional the material is.
This is a basket that fits comfortably in the hand and can be enjoyed for many years. Please choose the size that best suits your needs.
Suzutake Craft from Torigoe, Iwate Prefecture
Torigoe is a small village located in Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, in the northern part of Iwate Prefecture. It is well known as a traditional center of Suzutake bamboo craft.
The Suzutake bamboo that grows in the Torigoe region is said to be especially strong and flexible. For over a thousand years, people in the area have used it to weave durable and practical baskets and tools.
However, since around 2015, many areas of Iwate have experienced a widespread dieback of Suzutake bamboo, making it increasingly difficult to secure high-quality material. Since then, sourcing good-quality material has become much more difficult, making Suzutake craft even more precious today.
It is said that once every 120 years, the bamboo reaches the end of its life cycle, produces small yellow flowers, and then dies off. After that, it may take 10 to 20 years for new shoots to grow tall enough to be used in bamboo craft.
Even for the artisans who have worked with Suzutake for many years, this is an unprecedented challenge. And yet, to keep their craft alive, they continue to walk the mountains carefully, gathering what little bamboo they can find— sometimes just a fraction of what was once available—and carrying on the tradition with care.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
This is a lunch basket woven from Suzutake bamboo.
Lidded baskets made in this region using the traditional ajiro-ami weaving technique used to be crafted in a wide range of sizes— from large storage trunks called kōri to small card cases—by many skilled artisans. Today, however, due to the decline in the number of weavers, only certain sizes are still being made.
Even among lunch baskets made from the same Suzutake material, the finish may vary depending on the artisan. For this reason, we offer two types: Type A and Type B. This page features Type B, available in two sizes: Extra Small and Small.
Among Suzutake crafts, baskets like this—with a separate base and lid that fit together precisely— require particularly advanced weaving skills.
On the left is the Extra Small size, and on the right is the Small size.Although their dimensions differ, both baskets are made in the same way.Thin strips of Suzutake bamboo are carefully prepared and woven using ajiro-ami technique.The rim of the basket is reinforced with a core of sturdy Madake bamboo, around which Suzutake is tightly wound in an upward spiral to finish the edge.This is the Small size.Here, the left basket is the base and the right is the lid. The lid is made just slightly larger to fit neatly over the base.In terms of capacity, it fits about two rice balls and a few side dishes. In the photo, it holds one portion of rice, two pieces of fried chicken, a cherry tomato, half a boiled egg, a piece of grilled salmon, sautéed paprika, and simmered eggplant.One of the characteristics of Type B is its softly rounded corners. Compared to Type A, it also has a slightly fuller shape overall. This roundness and gentle form are also present in the Extra Small size.This is the Extra Small size. It is designed to hold about two rice balls.As before, the base basket is on the left and the lid is on the right.The Extra Small and Small baskets can be nested together for storage. Since Suzutake is naturally flexible, the pieces can be gently expanded to fit together smoothly.Here, the baskets are shown upside down. As you can see, the lid fits neatly and completely over the base.When opening the basket, don’t hesitate. Place your fingers firmly into the gap between the body and the lid, and lift the lid upward. Suzutake bamboo is flexible and gently gives way under the pressure of your fingers.
You can place rice balls or sandwiches directly into the basket without wrapping them in plastic or foil.
Depending on your preference or the type of food, you may also choose to line the basket with cooking paper or kyōgi (thin sheets of wood).
For this example, we lined the bottom and sides with cooking paper and packed the food inside.
Please note that even with a liner, moisture from juicy dishes or fruits may seep through the gaps in the weave at the bottom of the basket.
If you plan to keep the basket upright while carrying, some people use small containers or divider cups to include slightly moist side dishes.
After use, rinse the basket with water using a scrubbing brush. Shake off excess water or wipe it with a towel to remove moisture.
If the basket comes into contact with oil—such as from fried foods— wash it with mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and let it dry completely in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight.
The basket also works well as a container for small items, or you can even use the body and lid separately if you like.
Suzutake bamboo is known for its glossy surface, soft yet resilient texture, and overall durability.
One of its pleasures is the way it gradually deepens in color over time— from pale green to a warm amber tone. Even after years of use, washing it with water brings back a natural sheen to the surface, a sign of just how exceptional the material is.
This is a basket that fits comfortably in the hand and can be enjoyed for many years. Please choose the size that best suits your needs.
Suzutake Craft from Torigoe, Iwate Prefecture
Torigoe is a small village located in Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, in the northern part of Iwate Prefecture. It is well known as a traditional center of Suzutake bamboo craft.
The Suzutake bamboo that grows in the Torigoe region is said to be especially strong and flexible. For over a thousand years, people in the area have used it to weave durable and practical baskets and tools.
However, since around 2015, many areas of Iwate have experienced a widespread dieback of Suzutake bamboo, making it increasingly difficult to secure high-quality material. Since then, sourcing good-quality material has become much more difficult, making Suzutake craft even more precious today.
It is said that once every 120 years, the bamboo reaches the end of its life cycle, produces small yellow flowers, and then dies off. After that, it may take 10 to 20 years for new shoots to grow tall enough to be used in bamboo craft.
Even for the artisans who have worked with Suzutake for many years, this is an unprecedented challenge. And yet, to keep their craft alive, they continue to walk the mountains carefully, gathering what little bamboo they can find— sometimes just a fraction of what was once available—and carrying on the tradition with care.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
This is a lunch basket woven from Suzutake bamboo.
Lidded baskets made in this region using the traditional ajiro-ami weaving technique used to be crafted in a wide range of sizes— from large storage trunks called kōri to small card cases—by many skilled artisans. Today, however, due to the decline in the number of weavers, only certain sizes are still being made.
Even among lunch baskets made from the same Suzutake material, the finish may vary depending on the artisan. For this reason, we offer two types: Type A and Type B. This page features Type B, available in two sizes: Extra Small and Small.
Among Suzutake crafts, baskets like this—with a separate base and lid that fit together precisely— require particularly advanced weaving skills.
On the left is the Extra Small size, and on the right is the Small size.Although their dimensions differ, both baskets are made in the same way.Thin strips of Suzutake bamboo are carefully prepared and woven using ajiro-ami technique.The rim of the basket is reinforced with a core of sturdy Madake bamboo, around which Suzutake is tightly wound in an upward spiral to finish the edge.This is the Small size.Here, the left basket is the base and the right is the lid. The lid is made just slightly larger to fit neatly over the base.In terms of capacity, it fits about two rice balls and a few side dishes. In the photo, it holds one portion of rice, two pieces of fried chicken, a cherry tomato, half a boiled egg, a piece of grilled salmon, sautéed paprika, and simmered eggplant.One of the characteristics of Type B is its softly rounded corners. Compared to Type A, it also has a slightly fuller shape overall. This roundness and gentle form are also present in the Extra Small size.This is the Extra Small size. It is designed to hold about two rice balls.As before, the base basket is on the left and the lid is on the right.The Extra Small and Small baskets can be nested together for storage. Since Suzutake is naturally flexible, the pieces can be gently expanded to fit together smoothly.Here, the baskets are shown upside down. As you can see, the lid fits neatly and completely over the base.When opening the basket, don’t hesitate. Place your fingers firmly into the gap between the body and the lid, and lift the lid upward. Suzutake bamboo is flexible and gently gives way under the pressure of your fingers.
You can place rice balls or sandwiches directly into the basket without wrapping them in plastic or foil.
Depending on your preference or the type of food, you may also choose to line the basket with cooking paper or kyōgi (thin sheets of wood).
For this example, we lined the bottom and sides with cooking paper and packed the food inside.
Please note that even with a liner, moisture from juicy dishes or fruits may seep through the gaps in the weave at the bottom of the basket.
If you plan to keep the basket upright while carrying, some people use small containers or divider cups to include slightly moist side dishes.
After use, rinse the basket with water using a scrubbing brush. Shake off excess water or wipe it with a towel to remove moisture.
If the basket comes into contact with oil—such as from fried foods— wash it with mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and let it dry completely in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight.
The basket also works well as a container for small items, or you can even use the body and lid separately if you like.
Suzutake bamboo is known for its glossy surface, soft yet resilient texture, and overall durability.
One of its pleasures is the way it gradually deepens in color over time— from pale green to a warm amber tone. Even after years of use, washing it with water brings back a natural sheen to the surface, a sign of just how exceptional the material is.
This is a basket that fits comfortably in the hand and can be enjoyed for many years. Please choose the size that best suits your needs.
Suzutake Craft from Torigoe, Iwate Prefecture
Torigoe is a small village located in Ichinohe Town, Ninohe District, in the northern part of Iwate Prefecture. It is well known as a traditional center of Suzutake bamboo craft.
The Suzutake bamboo that grows in the Torigoe region is said to be especially strong and flexible. For over a thousand years, people in the area have used it to weave durable and practical baskets and tools.
However, since around 2015, many areas of Iwate have experienced a widespread dieback of Suzutake bamboo, making it increasingly difficult to secure high-quality material. Since then, sourcing good-quality material has become much more difficult, making Suzutake craft even more precious today.
It is said that once every 120 years, the bamboo reaches the end of its life cycle, produces small yellow flowers, and then dies off. After that, it may take 10 to 20 years for new shoots to grow tall enough to be used in bamboo craft.
Even for the artisans who have worked with Suzutake for many years, this is an unprecedented challenge. And yet, to keep their craft alive, they continue to walk the mountains carefully, gathering what little bamboo they can find— sometimes just a fraction of what was once available—and carrying on the tradition with care.
Please note: This item ships from Japan. As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country. These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.
